The Twin Valley High School Lacrosse Team (1-2) earned their first victory of its 2013 campaign on April 2, defeating Cocalico in Denver by a score of 8-7. The game was as close as the score indicated, with no team gaining a significant lead in the tightly contested affair. Freshman midfielder Matt Krick got the Raiders off on the right foot, scoring an unassisted opening goal early in the first quarter. Sophomore attackman Matt Leighton doubled the lead off an assist from senior attackman Andrew Huls. Cocalico jumped right back into the game with a late goal, ending the quarter with the Raiders in front 2-1.
Sophomore midfielder Andrew Gribbin restored the Raiders’ two goal advantage with an unassisted goal early in the second, and Andrew Huls scored the first of his two goals (assist to Matt Leighton) to give Twin Valley a three goal cushion. The two goal lead was not to last, however, as Cocalico mounted a furious attack scoring two goals to close within 4-3 at the half. Apart from the lapse in the close of the second, defensemen Andrew Gribbin (sophomore), Lee Thompson (senior) and Steve Griffin (junior) had shone a strong defensive effort in front of senior goalie Tim McCall.
The Raiders came out very strong in the third quarter, scoring three goals and threatening to pull away before Cocalico once again managed a late tally to make the score 7-4 heading into the final quarter. Senior attack Kyle Arthur scored two goals, and Andrew Huls added his second tally off an assist from sophomore midfielder Gavan Manness.
Cocalico stormed the net early in the fourth quarter, scoring two goals to close within a score of 7-6. The Raiders kept the pressure on though, with shot after shot coming from Raider senior midfielder Ryan Hoffman, freshman attackman, Dalton Drahus, Junior attackman Justin Murry, senior midfielder Justin Folk, as well as Matt Krick , Kyle Arthur and Andrew Huls. Senior midfielder Robert Gaydos finally broke through on a fast break to restore a two goal lead for Twin Valley, but Cocalico soon closed back to within one. In the final furious rally Twin Valley Goalie Tim McCall was brilliant, making save after save to keep the Eagles from netting a tying goal. He was aided by strong efforts from defensemen Jake Rayel (sophomore), Calvin Philmore (senior), Jack Trego (sophomore), Brandon Hemmerle (freshman), and freshmen midfielders Josh Folk and Derek Seifert. McCall finished with 14 saves and the Raiders earned their first official varsity victory after three years as a club sport.
Keith Huls is a parent, writer, sports enthusiast, and youth sports coach living in the Tri County area. His Blog ‘Keith’s Korner’ can be followed at www.BerksMontNews.com/blogs.
